Effect of Vitex agnus-castus and Salvia officinalis Extracts on Serum Lipids in Postmenopausal Women: An Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC), and Salvia officinalis extracts on serum lipids in postmenopausal women referred to the Bone Densitometry Center, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 89 postmenopausal women in 2016 using random permuted blocks with a block size of 3 in the three groups, including the VAC group (3.2-4.8 mg/q8h), S. officinalis group (100 mg/q8h), and placebo group for three months. Women were finally compared in terms of low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software. Descriptive statistical tests and paired t test were used to compare the groups. Results: A significant decrease in serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides levels and also increase in mean serum high-density lipoprotein levels were observed in VAC and S. officinalis groups before and after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In comparison, no significant change was observed in serum level of any lipoproteins in the placebo group. Conclusions: Considering the decrease in the level of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and increased high-density lipoprotein after using VAC and S. officinalis in this study, these herbs can be proposed as blood lipid-lowering agents in postmenopausal women.